A GROUP of travellers who set up camp in a car park opposite a care home in Rhyl last week have now moved on, with campervans and vehicles spotted on playing fields in the town.
Travellers initially arrived on the afternoon of August 11, parking at St Winifred’s Car Park on Brighton Road, opposite Bron Haul Care Home.
Justine Evans, a councillor for the Rhyl East ward in which the car park is situated, said they left the site at roughly 2pm yesterday (August 14), with vehicles now parked on the grounds of Coronation Gardens.
Denbighshire County Council is aware of the situation and is continuing to monitor it, having carried out a welfare check.
It is not known whether the vehicles parked on Coronation Gardens are the same as those previously located on Brighton Road.
But Cllr Evans feels this is becoming “a real concern”, adding that “local residents are becoming increasingly frustrated with the situation.”
Cllr Evans said: “The area (on Brighton Road) was left with litter everywhere, despite Denbighshire County Council providing them with adequate bins.
“It appears that they have now moved on to Coronation Gardens in Rhyl. I think it is the same group, but couldn’t be sure.
“This is a real concern, as Coronation Gardens is well-used by local young people and families, particularly during the summer months.
“They are clearly looking to remain in Rhyl for the entire summer holidays and sadly, it is costing us all with clean-up fees; not to mention the disruption.
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“I drove past yesterday morning and two of their dogs were off leads in the middle of the road, forcing us to do an emergency stop.
“Local residents are becoming increasingly frustrated with the situation.
“I appreciate it is a difficult problem to resolve, but we simply cannot continue to allow travellers to have the run of the town.”
On two separate occasions in the last three month, groups of travellers were also seen parked on the grass by the promenade on Rhyl’s East Parade.
A spokesperson for Denbighshire County Council said: “We have received notification of a group of travellers parked on Coronation Gardens at Rhyl.
“We have carried out a welfare check and are currently monitoring the situation.
“The council’s response is informed by legislation and government guidance”.
Last week, a group described by Denbighshire Leisure Ltd as “travellers” were asked to leave Rhyl’s SC2 water park on West Parade after entering a pool at the premises without paying.
The police were called to the scene, with customers asked to evacuate the pool which the group had entered, until they agreed to leave.
Denbighshire Leisure, the company responsible for SC2, apologised to customers for the disruption, and thanked them for their patience.
On numerous occasions last summer, motorhomes were also found to be parked illegally near the Eisteddfod Standing Stones in Rhyl.
James Davies, MP for Vale of Clwyd, echoed Cllr Evans’ sentiments.
Dr Davies said: "This continued run-around different sites is tiring and costly for all involved, and impacts on residents and businesses.
"I would like to thank Denbighshire County Council for their engagement, for rapidly serving notices as appropriate, and for looking at new powers provided by the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022."
For more information, go to: www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/community-and-living/gypsies-and-travellers/gypsies-and-travellers.aspx.
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